The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-10-01
In HONOR OF THE PRESIDENT
Great Preparations for the Visit of the
Nations Head to Indiana's Capital.
The City Decked Out in Bright CoIors, Not
outstanding the Dismal and Unfayor-
able Weather-0fficial Programme.

able Weatner-Umclal programme.
One of the marked indications yesterday of
the Presidents coming was the presence of DEM
ocratic politicians from various parts of the
State, Increasing the number of other visitors
who had taken early start in order to be in
the beginning of the festival day. AS only
few hours intervene until the Presidents arrival,
the event took the attention of every one in
versation and anticipation. Even local politics
gave way to the general desire to perform with
zeal and loyalty the duties that belong to honor
ing the head of the Nation, but the expressed
wish to the President was frequently quail
fed by that which Mrs. Cleveland's presence will
excite. To listen to the gossip of the people
would think that the distinguished lady's pres
ence would overshadow that Of her husbands,
although Indianapolis is preparing for him
royal welcome. The weather was looked upon
as the only thing that would interfere with day
of general enjoyment. With the continuing
showers yesterday, the feeling was that the week
would end as it had begun, and detract
materially from the success of the ovation, for
with fair sky and sunshine that is what the re-
ception in all probability will be.
The hotels prepared to entertain great
a throng ever came to the city. The gentle
men of official and political prominence who are
already here say that from their parts of the
State excursions numbering anywhere from
few hundreds to thousands of people will pour
into Indianapolis. Ohio. particularly Cincinnati,
will increase the crowds by thousands of her
citizens. The Duckworth and jefferson clubs,
of Cincinnati, will be here at 10 o'clock this
morning, and. if the day opens fair, it is es-
tmated that 900 Cincinnatians will come with
them. From the southeast part of the State
great excursion is being arranged. Others will
come from tie towns and cities in the south
western portion and from the northern quarters.
AS contemplated, instead of city affair, respect
will be paid to Mr. Cleveland's position by rep
resentatives from all Hooserdom
In the matter of decorations, for that is about
all the committees of arrangement have to look
to now, there has been some delay, but the
weather is responsible for it, it will be for
general effort in elaborate display. Had the
citizens been assured of sunshine the outlay in
this respect would have been large, but especial
~ on Washington street and other thorough
fares through which the procession is to pass
decorators were busily engaged yesterday in
handling, cutting and arranging bunting and
muslin to suit their designs. For the greater
part these will he simple, in display of red,
white and blue streamers. yet there is sufficient
variety to relieve it of sameness. Many mer-
chants and others said that the shortness of the
Presidents visit did not warrant decorations of
costly detail. Had it been for q day or two the
designs would have been more noticeable for
their artistic completeness. Pictures of the
President and Mrs. Cleveland, including the
costlier kinds well rs the cheap Autographs.
will be profusey used The Model for instance,
will have its front of red, white and
blue set off with portraits of Mr.. and Mrs. Cleve
land, surmounted by evergreen wreaths. From
trimmed in red white and blue bunting, the
same material used in covering the front of the
building, win span the sidewalk. At the outer
end will be placed life size wax figure of the
President, surmounted by a canopy. On Penn
sylvania street the When Block will assume
gay appearance in flags and streAmers over
doors and windows. Across the street the gov
ernmens building was being covered with flags,
pictures, wreaths and streamers. Further up
the NewDenieon Hotel was being decorated in
festoons of bunting over the principal entrance.
The Public Library being covered with
streameIs artistically arranged over the portico
and windows. Many private residences on this
thorouehfare as on Meridian and Illinois streets.
will put out the emblems of general good cheer.
Some of them will be very handsomely and ex-
pensivey decorated. In remote parts of the
city. too, the residents will display their flags,
streamers, wreaths and pictures.
East of Alabama, on Washington street, little
was done yesterday, but to-day there will not be
a building in that locality which will not show
e some sign of welcome. The Courthouse will
not be deliberately decorated. but it will have
enough muslin neatly arranged in festoon to
make it conspicuous and attractive. At the top
of the tower fesIoons will bs hung and at its
base others of larger size. Along the whole
front of the building on Washington street will
be displayed mass of muslin with yards of it
hanging either side of the ntral door. These
pendents will also be placed at the corners of
the building, while the the tower surmounting
the west front is to be made prominent with
flags and the United States coat Of arms.
West, on Washington street, the decorations be-
come more conspicuous. On certain buildings
only flags are used, while on others the stream
ers cover doorways and windows. Eastman,
Schleicher & Lee, Albert Gall and other
chants in that block had made considerable
progress in the work, but not enough to- give
fair idea of the plan to be pursued. The
first named firm is to cover the front of its
building with bunting and place on the second,
third and fourth stories portraits OF Mr. and Mrs
Cleveland twelve feet high. On Meridian street.
south. the front OF the Board of Trade is being
handsomely covered, while other buildings
following the general idea in the use of bunting.
The Hendricks Club house is to be gay in flags
and festoons, while the Bates House, across the
way. will have flags tastefully grouped at every
window and door. On this block, down to Ten
nessee street. some OF the buildings set off
with everereens and willow branches while the
Museum. at the corner. displays profusion of
flags American Irish and German. In front
of the State offices. on the outer edge of the
sidewalk and down to Mississippi street. wide
streamers stretched poles around which
is 's a rea. white and Blue banner. The State
officers are to make display of flags and pict-
ures on the building In the Capitol yard the
platform from which the President is to res
pond to the Governors address. is being neatly
but 1uexpensively decorated. Within the build
ing in the rotunda only, where the reception is
to occur, efforts made at relieving the mar
BILE and stone of their massiveness. Over each
gallery, looking into the rotunda. flags fes-
tooned and in the inches placed plants and
ferns.
Official Programme for the Day.
The executive committee has made some
slight alterations in the official programme which
now stands as follows:
The President will be received on East Wash
ington street. at the intersection of Noble street.
and conducted along Washington street to the
south entrance of the Capitol
After the conclusion of the reception the Pres
he itol